Baumle’s blast ignites Raiders to shutout of Big Green

Wednesday, April 02, 2014 12:00 AM

By Kevin Wannemacher
Times Bulletin Business Manager
kwannemacher@timesbulletin.com
HAVILAND — Junior Addison Baumle sent the first pitch from Ottoville’s Courtney Von Sossan over the left-center field fence and Wayne Trace cruised from there to a 13-0 victory over the Big Green in high school softball action Tuesday night.
Baumle finished the night with three singles and a home run while driving in three runs to lead the Lady Raiders to the season opening win.
The Raiders’ Molly Crosby kept Ottoville off balance all night long, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out ten.
“It was a good way to start the season,” commented Lady Raider head coach Jack Baumle. “The girls did a good job of making adjustments at the plate and we were able to hit the ball pretty good today. Pitching wise, Molly threw the ball pretty well overall and defensively we made plays when we needed to. It is a good win to open up with.”
After Crosby set the Big Green down in order in the first, Baumle’s blast quickly put the Raiders in front 1-0.

With two outs still in the first, the Raiders weren’t done.
Crosby and Carley Wright put together back-to-back singles as the Raiders put runners at first and second. After Madison Zartman entered as a courtesy runner for Wright, the Wayne Trace running game went to work.
Crosby moved to third on a passed ball and then advanced home as the throw to third was errant by Ottoville catcher Mazzie Brinkman. Zartman also came around to score on the play to make it 3-0 Raiders at the end of one inning.
Wayne Trace widened the margin to 4-0 in the second.
Bailey Bergman reached on an Ottoville error to start the inning, moved to second on a Carrie Thrasher single and advanced to third on a Baumle infield hit. Bergman then scored when Mackenzie Swary reached on a fielder’s choice.
“We were able to take advantage of scoring opportunities,” continued the Raider coach.
Wayne Trace then broke the game open in the third.
Wright and Libby Stabler each hit one-out singles before a two-run double from Bergman plated Zartman, who again ran for Wright, and Stabler to push the advantage to 6-0.
Bergman, Brenda Feasby and Thrasher also scored in the frame as the Raiders grabbed a 9-0 lead entering the fourth inning.
“The girls did a better job of hitting their pitch as the game went,” noted the elder Baumle. “I thought early on we weren’t as patient and we didn’t get the pitch we wanted to hit. As we came through the lineup the second and third time, we were much better hitters in that aspect.”
Wayne Trace completed the scoring with four runs in the fourth. Emilie Linder opened the inning by reaching on a dropped third strike and scored on a Stabler single.
Stabler, Bergman and Madison McClure also scored in the inning for the Raiders to set the final margin at 13-0.
Ottoville had a runner at second in the third, fourth and fifth innings but was unable to advance them any farther.
Stabler added two singles and a RBI for the Lady Raiders with Thrasher also posting a pair of singles. Wright posted two hits as well for Wayne Trace.
Swary, Crosby and Feasby recorded a single each and Bergman posted a double along with two runs batted in. Swary drove in a pair of runs as well.
Nikki Burgei led Ottoville with a double while Courtney Von Sossan and Kendra Eickholt had a single each.
The Big Green returns to action Thursday as Ottoville visits Allen East in a non-league battle. Wayne Trace will host Paulding in a non-league affair on Thursday as well.